Fastener for envelops



(No Model.)

W. A. SELTS; PASTENBB FOR BNVELOPS.

No. 586,277. Patented July 13, 1897'.

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\VILLIAM A. SELTS, OF JERSEY SHORE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FASTEN ER FOR ENVELOPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,277, dated July 13, 1897.

Application filed January 26,1897. Serial No. 620,720; (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. SELTS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey Shore, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Seal or Fastener for Envelops, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a seal or fastener for letters and similar packages, the object of which is to provide a device of this character which may be attached to the letter or package in such manner that it cannot be removed and the letter or package cannot be opened without leaving a visible indication of such removal or opening. With these objects in view the invention consists of a metallic fastening device consisting of two parts so constructed that they may be interlocked with a portion of the envelop or cover between them.

The invention will be fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the back of an envelop with my seal or fastener attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a section on the line w of Fig. 1 and on an enlarged scale to clearly show the several parts of the device. Fig. 3 is a view of the blank from which the inner part of the seal or fastener is formed. Fig. 4 shows the parts of the seal or fastener disassociated and ready for application to the letter or package.

Similar reference-numerals indicate similar parts in the several figures.

1 represents the inner part of the seal or fastener, and 2 the outer part. The inner part 1 is formed from a sheet-metal blank cut to the shape indicated in Fig. In order to prepare this part'of the seal or fastener for use, the wings 3 3 are bent over toward each other, and the ends 4 are then folded over on top of the wings 3. The V-shaped points 5 are bent upwardly at a right angle to the main body. The turned-over wings 3 form guides or ways for the reception of the ends of the outer part 2 of the seal or fastener and the folded ends 4 serve to limit the movement of the outer part 2 in the guideways. The

part 2 consists of a strip of sheet metal substantially equal in length to the part 1 when in its folded position, and it is provided at each end with hooks 6, projecting from its surface. These hooks are oppositely disposed and are formed by making a semicircular or V-shaped cut in the metal and forcing the metal included within the line of the cut outwardly, as is well understood. When the two parts are in position, the hooks 6 are adapted to enter the openings 7 at the opposite'ends of the part 1.

In order to apply the device to an envelop, the inner part 1 is placed in position under the rear side 8 of the envelop before the flap 9 is closed and the points 5 are forced through the paper, thereby holding the part 1 in position. The flap 9 is then sealed in position in the ordinary manner, and the points 5 will also project through it. TWo incisions 10 are then made in the paper above the part 1 transversely between the opposing points 5 for the purpose of inserting the ends of the outer part 2 into the guideways in the part 1. One end of the part 2, which is preferably of spring metal, is then inserted through one of the incisions 10 into the adjacent guideway until its hook 6 engages one of the openings 7 in the inner part 1, and the middle portion of the part 2 is then bent upwardly to enable its other end to be inserted through the other incision 10 into the other guideway until its hook 6 engages the other opening 7. The engagement of the hooks 6 in the openings 7 will prevent the parts from being separated. The points 5 are then turned down upon the part 2 to clamp the parts 1 and 2 together and the sealing is completed. As the seal extends across the gummed edge of the flap it is obvious the flap cannot be opened without tearing it, even if the gummed portions are separated by steaming or otherwise.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the seal or fastener cannot be taken apart or removed from the envelop without tearing the latter, nor can the envelop be opened when the seal is in position without tearing the envelop at some point.

While I have illustrated the seal or fas-v tener as applied to a letter-envelop, it is to be understood that it may be applied in a simi lar manner to the envelop or cover of any package where two overlapping parts are to be secured together.

It is also to be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A seal or fastener for envelops, consisting of two metal plates, one of said plates being located inside the envelop below overlapping parts thereof, and having guides or Ways and one member of an interlocking mechanism at its ends, and the other plate having the other member of the interlocking mechanism at its ends, said ends being adapted to enter the Ways or guides on the inner plate, through incisions in the overlapping parts of the envelop, and be locked therein, substantially as described.

2. A seal or fastener for envelops, consisting of two plates, one being located inside the envelop below overlapping parts thereof,

and having guides or Ways and one member of an interlocking mechanism at each end, and the other plate having at each end the other member of the interlocking mechanism, the ends of this plate being adapted to enter the guides or ways through incisions in the envelop and be locked therein by said interlocking mechanism, and a series of points integral with the inner plate, extending through the envelop, and adapted to be folded down on the other plate to clamp the plates together with overlapping parts of the envelop between them, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 35 my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses. I

WILLIAM A. SELTS.

Witnesses:

ANDREW F. MARTIN, H. H. MARTIN, Jr. 

